Page 62 of Endless Harmonies

Jordan clears his throat and Roark glances up sheepishly.

“We’re not done yet,” he says.

Turner snickers as Layla picks up the rope for the handfasting.

“You’re stuck with us too, Roark,” he says with a grin.

“There’s no one else I’d rather love my girl with,” Ror says.

Dammit, why are they so sweet?

The guys gather around me, and Roark takes my hand and lifts them toward my uncle. Orion, Derek, and Turner wrap a hand around ours until we are encased in their warmth. Jordan lifts the rope with a grin.

“I’ve never officiated a wedding like this before, but I did do a little research on it. While I begin to wrap the rope around your hands, please pronounce your vows. Each person will say something,” he tells us.

I’m definitely going to cry.

Turner looks down at me and then our hands with a look of awe. “I’ve loved you for eleven years of your life, Lavender. Watching you change into the person you’ve always been meant to be is a blessing that I’ll never forget,” he says as his voice cracks. “I promise to love you through every step, every rebirth, because you’re not meant to be the same person today as you are tomorrow.”

A tear slips down my cheek, and I take a shuddering breath. I was incredibly scared when I walked into that bar. Naive, young, but willing to chase my dream.

“Lennon, you flipped everything that I’ve known on its head,” Derek says as he stares at our entwined hands. “I was such an angry person, and you stripped away all of the lies. I’m a better person now because you let me back into your life. Thank you for forgiving me, pulling me into your family. Roark and Turner, thank you for kicking my ass and forcing me to be better. Orion, thank you for seeing the parts of myself that I hide, and forcing me to step up. I’m lucky to be loved by you all.”

Roark sniffs beside me, and I give an inappropriate giggle. “You’re going to turn me into a sobbing bride,” I complain, wiping away a tear.

“Let it happen, Lenny.” Layla grins. “At this rate, I’ll be crying. Damn poets and sweet men.”

“For real,” I sigh with an answering smile.

“I don’t know how emotional this will be, because that’s not my strong suit,” Orion begins. “I’ve been hiding for a very long time. Fake smiles in a fake life. I stripped off the facade, and you saw me. Once you realized you were safe with me, you slowly let me in. I have been obsessed with you for a long time without knowing why. I should have known that you were my soulmate. I’m sorry I didn’t connect it all sooner, but I’m here now, and I’m so happy to be part of this family. Our life is one that I didn’t know I needed, the one where I belong to all of you.”

I can hear Tesa and Tori sniffling behind us, their husbands quietly comforting them. We’re unraveling quickly.

“Do you want to go next, Lenny, or shall I?” Roark asks, kissing my forehead.

“I’ll go, or I won’t be able to,” I tell him, smiling through my tears.

“Alright,” he whispers, laying his forehead against mine.

“It sometimes feels selfish to need you all,” I rasp, swallowing hard. “And then, I think about how all of you saved me. You didn’t care if I was broken, changed forever, you just love me for me. When I feel unloveable, or crazy, or even just off… You love me through the missteps and the inevitable nightmares. Everyone deserves to be loved like this. Each one of you is my perfect match, so why would I ever choose?”

“You don’t,” Turner whispers.

“Love you, Little Love,” O murmurs.

“We’ll choose you every time,” Derek murmurs.

“Lennon O’Reilly,” Roark says, clearing his throat. I knew I was right to go first. “I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. You show such courage in the face of things that terrify you, defiance when things piss you off, you’re unlike anyone that I’ve ever met. This is why we call you our Valkyrie, right boys?”

Roark looks over his shoulder, but Atlas and Mav are nowhere to be found. Brows drawn in concern, he shrugs.

“Nothing stops you,” he continues. “It’s admirable how you use pain to help others, and tear yourself open to create beautiful music. You’re one of a kind, Baby Girl. I’m so glad you’re ours.”

My uncle takes a shuddering breath as we all cry, and even Layla is quietly sobbing. I’m willing to bet that her reasons are a bit different. Mav and Atlas couldn’t even last through my wedding ceremony before deciding it was too hard.

My uncle clears his throat so he can finish the ceremony. I take strength from the men around me, pulling the clean sea air into my lungs. I can keep it together for a little longer. These poor babies probably think their parents are crazy.

“This cord is a symbol of the lives you have chosen to lead together. Up until this moment, you have been separate in thought, word and action. As your hands are bound together by this cord, so too, shall your lives be bound as one. So let it be,” Jordan says softly.

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